I am here on this site to get help finding out how I can get a full hormone profile blood test and who will evaluate it. I just quit finasteride and I am experiencing some side effects, so I want to get the blood test recommended by this site right away so I can compare it to a another test that I will take in a few weeks later–a “before and after”.
I live in CA and I am close to a few “Quest diagnostic labs” in my area (the recommended lab from this site), but they say I need a doctor’s request. My urologist won’t do the full hormone profile test, he will only do the testosterone level, so I will have to pay for all tests out of pocket except the testosterone level. I do have a doctor friend who can order the tests, but he knows nothing about what they mean.
Who can evaluate these tests?
Also Quest diagnostics does not have a “panel” for the “complete hormone profile” that’s recommended on this site (FAQ #6). So, Quest charges al la carte for all hormone blood tests at an exorbitant rate between $100 - $200 per test! In other words, a complete hormone profile would cost me $5,886!!
I need some advice here…
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Which of these blood tests are most important?
(A full profile is cost prohibitive and completely out of the question, at this point) -
Who can evaluate these tests?
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What, exactly, are we looking for in a before and after comparison?
I need to figure out how to get this test soon since I just stopped finasteride for almost a week.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks everyone…
Looking forward to hearing from other members!
Quest Blood Test Price Sheet 7-23-2013.doc (119 KB)